Following on from yesterdays post on Japan we continued our trip with an organised tour to Mount Fuji. We tend to avoid organised tours, usually preferring to organise ourselves and be able to flex how long we visit somewhere, or change our plans mid way through a day. However for Mount Fuji we decided we would be better joining a tour group and leave all the planning to them. This worked well, and having a local guide definitely was an advantage, although I think I would be tempted to hire a car for such a trip next time we are in Japan.
Fuji is a couple of hours coach drive from central Tokyo, and we were given tempting glimpses on the journey there - its such a large mountain that even from Tokyo you can get a reasonable view if elevated.
From Fuji we continued to Lake Ashi and after a boat ride across the lake took a cable car to the top of Mount Hakone. Lake Ashi is a crater lake - formed in a former volcano, that last erupted in 1170. The area is famed for its views of Mount Fuji.... except it was too hazy when we were there and although you could make out the iconic shape the photos really didn't come out well.
Japan is famed for its traditions as well as its modernity, im still trying to work out which category the cable car building fell into. It was probably a good thing that we didn't see the state of it before we headed up in the car!
Finally at the end of the day we took a bullet train back to central Toyko. These things go through the station rather quickly, so my photo doesn't really capture it terribly well.
I posted a couple of days ago about visiting Meguro River for the blossoms at night and on our return back into Toyko (and another caffeine update at Starbucks) we spent a very enjoyable evening in the party atmosphere along the river banks.
On the other side of our hotel is the Sumida River which flows through the city to Tokyo Bay. Just for a change its planted with Cherry Trees, so a morning stroll along the river paths in more spring sunshine gave us a great start to the day.
The lady dressed as a maid in the photo above is advertising a "Maid Café", waitresses dress as maids to serve the customers (masters), we decided to give it a miss!
With the afternoon drawing to a close to headed back to Sensoji, we knew the temple was lit up at night, and it did not disappoint.
Sensoji is close to Sumida River - a couple of miles upstream from our hotel, and with cherry blossoms, and lights by the river, come people. This was a quieter spot, but still plenty of people enjoying the evening.
Our final day in Japan started with a trip to the Outer Market at Tsukiji Fish Market. Tsukiji is the largest wholesale fish market on the planet, and mixes the old and the new seamlessly. It is due to relocate soon, although the new location has been beset with delays. We have visited the inner market before, which is full of the days catch. However as its a working market space for tourists is limited, so on this trip we stuck to the outer market, and its food and craft stalls.
There are several narrow lanes packed with shops, restaurants and people, you have to keep an eye out for small delivery trucks as the tourists generally get in the way!
We had to bring a little local pottery home with us.
Close by is the large shopping area in Ginza, this area is home to the usual luxury brands as well as local department stores, with some retail therapy rounding off our trip all that was left was to find a bar and restaurant for the evening!
Which we managed - we tended to eat in local restaurants rather than tourist ones, so often had to ask for an English Menu to order something. Tokyo itself seems very comfortable with travellers so even in a very local bar, packed with office workers we were easily able to get ourselves fed and watered!
Gaz
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| Mount Fuji |
Fuji is a couple of hours coach drive from central Tokyo, and we were given tempting glimpses on the journey there - its such a large mountain that even from Tokyo you can get a reasonable view if elevated.
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| Due to snow on the mountain we were unable to get any further up than the Fourth Station, this was still 2,200m above sea level. |
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| Lake Ashi |
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| Temple gate on top of Mount Hakone |
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| Cable car building |
Finally at the end of the day we took a bullet train back to central Toyko. These things go through the station rather quickly, so my photo doesn't really capture it terribly well.
I posted a couple of days ago about visiting Meguro River for the blossoms at night and on our return back into Toyko (and another caffeine update at Starbucks) we spent a very enjoyable evening in the party atmosphere along the river banks.
On the other side of our hotel is the Sumida River which flows through the city to Tokyo Bay. Just for a change its planted with Cherry Trees, so a morning stroll along the river paths in more spring sunshine gave us a great start to the day.
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| Sumida River |
Taking a change in direction we headed to Akihabara - Electric Town. It got its nickname after world war II due to it being a centre for electronic goods. These days theres still plenty of electronics to be found but its also the centre for anime, Pokémon, computer games and a whole bunch of other eclectic pursuits. An extremely vibrant part of town well worth a visit.
The lady dressed as a maid in the photo above is advertising a "Maid Café", waitresses dress as maids to serve the customers (masters), we decided to give it a miss!
With the afternoon drawing to a close to headed back to Sensoji, we knew the temple was lit up at night, and it did not disappoint.
Sensoji is close to Sumida River - a couple of miles upstream from our hotel, and with cherry blossoms, and lights by the river, come people. This was a quieter spot, but still plenty of people enjoying the evening.
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| The Tokyo Sky Tree is visible from Sumida Park, and is the tallest observation point in Tokyo. |
There are several narrow lanes packed with shops, restaurants and people, you have to keep an eye out for small delivery trucks as the tourists generally get in the way!
We had to bring a little local pottery home with us.
Close by is the large shopping area in Ginza, this area is home to the usual luxury brands as well as local department stores, with some retail therapy rounding off our trip all that was left was to find a bar and restaurant for the evening!
Which we managed - we tended to eat in local restaurants rather than tourist ones, so often had to ask for an English Menu to order something. Tokyo itself seems very comfortable with travellers so even in a very local bar, packed with office workers we were easily able to get ourselves fed and watered!
Gaz
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
You've done a great job showing the contrasts between the ancient and natural elements and the modern aspects of daily life in Japan. I think I'd have experienced whiplash with the sharp differences.
ReplyDeleteSo great that their society now has evolved to be the way it is :)
DeleteThank you for the Japan posts ... beautiful photos as always. It was almost like being there ... one day I really must visit in springtime, memories of our autumn trip some time ago helped me fill in the sounds and busyness.
ReplyDeleteGreat time too in spring that the temperatures are just right. Summers apparently can get hot and humid.
DeleteHa! Bullet trains go fast? They have such a misleading name. Sorry most of your mountain photos didn't turn out. For such large objects, they do like to hide in clouds and haze. The photos that you did share are wonderful. Oh, my. Maid cafes. Of course I've seen them depicted in anime, but it's so hard to believe they're real! Japan certainly has some quirks.
ReplyDeleteThey have lots of quirks, makes the culture extra fascinating :)
DeleteThanks for this look at Japan. Andrew keeps threatening to return, and take me with him. Maybe someday!
ReplyDeleteThat would be amazing if you two would go, and you'll have the best guide there :)
DeleteA fascinating insight into Japan. Such a contrast between old and new.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, a lovely society wherein old and new fuse so nicely.
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